Create Shade

You infuse a willing dragon, giant, humanoid, or monstrosity with the dark energies of the Shadowfell and transform that creature into a shade, a being that is not quite alive but also not quite undead. The shade gains many abilities (most of which don't work in bright light), and while it can be slain, it is otherwise immortal.

Shade Template

Shades tend to be moody and cynical, and driven by their dedication to the powers of night. Their skin, hair, and eyes are leeched of color and turn ashy in both color and texture.

A shade has the following traits:

Type. Although technically living, the shade is treated as undead for all purposes and its type changes to undead. It still needs to breathe, drink, eat, and sleep, but only needs half as much drink, food, or sleep. The shade is incapable of reproducing and if slain, only a true resurrection or wish will bring it back from the dead (it will no longer be a shade in that case). It is capable of being affected by spells and other effects that target either undead or creatures of its original type.

Alignment. Nearly all shades are of neutral or evil alignment.

Speed. The shade's speeds increase by 10 feet when in dim light or darkness. When in bright light, its speeds decrease by 10 feet.

Proficiencies. The shade is proficient in Stealth, and when in dim light or darkness, it may use double its proficiency bonus.

Resistances and Immunities. The shade is resistant to cold, necrotic, and poison damage, and it is immune to the poisoned condition.

Senses. The shade has darkvision to 120 feet.

Innate Spellcasting. The shade's spellcasting ability is Charisma. While in dim light or darkness, the shade can cast the following spells, requiring no material components: 1/day each: blur, dancing shadows (q.v.), darkness, dimension door (start and ending points must both be within darkness)

Light Sensitivity. While in bright light, the shade has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Living Shadow. While in dim light or darkness, the shade has resistance to damage that isn't force, psychic, or radiant, and it can take the Hide action as a bonus action.

Magic Resistance. While in dim light or darkness, the shade has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Regeneration. When in dim light or darkness, the shade regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.

Shadow Vision. Magical darkness doesn't impede the shade's vision.

Soulless. The shade can't be affected by any spell or magical effect that would affect its soul or spirit, or that would lower its hit point maximum or attributes.

Turn Immunity. The shade is immune to against any effect that turns undead.